IL
Y A ...
The phrase "il y a" is used in several contexts in French. Consequently,
il may be translated in various ways.
1. "Il y a" = il existe
-
There is + SINGULAR
-
There are + PLURAL
-
There was + SINGULAR
-
There were + PLURAL
-
There will be ... (future)
-
There must be ... (probability)
-
There should be (light probability or advice)
-
There may/might be ... (likelihood)
-
There must have been (past probability)
-
There should have been (past probability or advice)
-
There may/might have been (past likelihood)
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There used to be (break between past and present)
2. "Il y a" + DURATION
-
Il y a dix ans que j'étudie l'anglais. (= j'étudie l'anglais
depuis dix ans)
-
Il y a des siècles que je ne l'ai pas vue. ( = je ne l'ai pas
vue depuis des siècles)
-
Il y a cinq mois qu'il ne nous a pas écrit.
3. "Il y a" + REFERENCE IN THE PAST
-
Il y a dix ans qu'il est mort.
-
Il y a deux ans que j'ai passé le permis.
-
Il y a cinq ans qu'il a quitté l'entreprise.
4. "Il y a" is sometimes just NOT translated
-
Il y a le
patron qui t'attend.
-
Il y a quelqu'un
qui t'appelle au téléphone.
-
Il y a des
gens qui ne lisent jamais.
In cases 3 and 4, if there is a link with the present (contituation or consequence in the present, use the PRESENT PERFECT).If it is completely past, use the SIMPLE PAST (PRETERIT)
Complete the sentences with the appropriate translation of "il y a"
Exercise 1 : Sentences 1 to 10